Road building machine



Nov. 6, 1934. D. A. HEMSTREET AL 1,979,619

ROAD .BUILDING MACHINE Filed' Jan. 9. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l r Nov. 6,1934. D. A. HEMSTREl-:T ET AL ROAD BUILDI NG MACHINE Filed Jan. 9. 19523 Sheets-Sheet 2 IMM.:

l Q( Q N9 Q m m v o o y L o o o W m A Nm, Pw. /N .o o om@ 9 Y@ Q HKUNov. 6, 1934. D.`A, HEMSTREET Er AL 1,979,519

ROAD BUILDING MACHINE Filed Jan'. 9. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J 65 `g `L 757a .A4/Naw? BY Watented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES;

4PATENT oFFlcE Marysvlll e, Calif.

Application January 9, 1932, Serial No. 585,730

21 claims.

llhis invention is a road building machine which is particularly adaptedto the spreading and bedding of road building material', such as crushedrock, gravel, asphalt and similar material.

The main object of the invention is to provide a device which willuniformly distribute and spread both laterally and longitudinally, roadbuilding material ready for finishing and rolling, and which isadjustable to compensate for crown, and also adjustable for width anddepth of base or surface material.

Another object of the invention isto provide a drag spreader which isadapted to bedrawn by a vehicle from which the spreader receives thesupply of material to be distributed and spread and when coupled theretQwill be substantially automatic in receiving the material as required.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the classdescribed which is cheaply constructed, efcient, and which is ofknock-down type and which is readily disassembled or knocked-down fortransportation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description is read on the drawings forming a part of thisspecication and in which similar reference characters are used toindicate lsimilar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation or'the invention.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a sectiontaken on line 4-4 of Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing theoperation of the invention.

Fig. 6 indicates the method of distributing and spreading the material.

Fig. .7 indicates a parallel strip being laid in juxtaposed relation toa rolled strip.

Fig. 8 indicates a strip being laid on a crowned 40 road. 4

The invention consists primarily of a pair of spaced apart side membersprovided with skids or runners, and draft elements adapted to beattached to a vehicle which contains a supply of thev spread, anadjustable nishing blade for finishing, and gatherers for retractingexcess material at the edges, the finishing blade being adjustable fordifferent strip widths and depths.

'I'he side members consist of side plates l0 and 11, each of which areprovided with a skid or runner consisting of a pair of oppositelydisposed angles 12 and- 13 to which is removably secured, a shoe 14 topermit replacement for wear,- the forward ends of the skids being curvedupwardly as shown at 15. A reinforcing angle 16 is provided along thetop edge of the plates and 11. Braces 17 extend from the forward end ofthe plates 10 and 11 to the forward end of the runners.

Draft elements consisting of a length of chain or cable 18 attached toeach side plate by means of a c`evis 19 and supplied with a loop orother suitable coupling means 20 for attachment to a motor truck orother draft appliance are provided.

The hopper consists of a sloping front plate 2l, a vertical rear plate22 and a sloping bottom plate 23, al1 removably secured to the sides 1 0and l1 as by bolts 24, suitable reinforcing 25 and 26 being provided toprevent bending of the plates.

Slidably mounted adjacent the bottom plate 23 and in proper relation toadjust the gap 2'7 is a gauge gate 28 which is indicated as mountedbeneath the plate 23. The gate 28 is independently adjustable at theopposite ends to permit proper distribution of material to compensatefor difference in elevation of the base, such as is indicated in Fig. 8,and is adjustable by means of levers 29 and 30, which are pivoted to theside plates l0 and 11 as indicated at 32, a connecting rod 33 connectingthe lever with gauge gate 28 as indicated at 34. n

The spreader consists of a pair of angularly related blades and 36connected together with a draft member 37 which has a flanged head 38freely retained and rotatably mounted in a pair y vof guides 39 securedto the rear surface of plate 22, permitting the spreader to be bothvertically and angularly adjusted. The outer ends of the blades extendthrough .openings 40 in the side plates 10 and 11 and are Slidablysecured by cooperation of a guide member 41 with a gib 42 which is xedto the side plate,

The spreader is adjustable at the center and both ends, .by means ofscrews 43, 44 and 45, each of which is threadedly mounted in a nut 46which is pivotallvl mounted between brackets 47 and 48 as indicated at49. The upper end of the screws are provided with handles or levers 50and the lower end extends through a supporting member as indicated at51, a nut 52 being secured on the end of the screw and by which thespreader blade is supported.

Fixedly secured to the outer ends of blades 35 and 36 are arcuatelyformed blades 53 and 54, which are provided with several sets ofadjusting holes 55, by means of which the strip width may be regulated.Pivotally and adjustably secured on adjusting screws 56 and 57 asindicated at 58 are baie plates 59 and 60 as indicated at 62 and havingholes in the perpendicular leg adapted to register with holes 55 inmember 53 whereby the two members may be adjustaby bolted together theother leg having slots for vertical adjustment on plates 59 and 60.Screws 56 are provided with handles or levers 63, the screws beingrotatably mounted in bearings 64.

Slidably mounted transversely at the rear end of side plates 10 and llis a finishing blade 65 which is secured by means of gibs 66 andvertically adjustable by means of screws 67 and 68 which are similarlymounted to screws 43, 44 and and to which reference may be had for thedescription. Handles 69 and 70 are provided for operation of thesescrews.

Adjustably mounted on the outer ends of the finishing blade 65 aregathering members or blades 7l and'72 which are adjustabe bothtransversely and vertically on the nishing blade.

The operation'of the device is as follows:

The device is coupled onto the rearward end of a motor truck or othersuitable transport and/or tractive means, 73, therear wheels of thetruck being interposed between the front portion of skids 12-13, thecables 18 being used as coupling means.

Finishing blade 65 is adjusted by means of screws 67 and 68 to theproper height from the base 74 to provide the required depth of materialprevious to rolling, as indicated at 75. Gathering blades 7l and 72 areadjusted to the width and depth desired. Spreader blades 35-36 isadjusted to height and finishingv blade 65 is adjusted as indicated bysuitable indicating gauges 76 which consist of a graduated rod xed toone of the members, such as the blades, and being 'readable byregistration with a xed point.

. Gate 28 is adjusted to provide the required opening at 27 and wings orbaiiles 59 and 60 are adjusted on arcuate plates 53 and 54 to the proper.Width of strip.

Gate 28 is adjusted to what is believed to be the correct gap to providethe required material to form the strip. K The material is then fed or'dumped into the hopperV and the drag drawn forward i'ar enough toascertain Whether the strip is formed correctly as indicated at 75. Ifthe material does not fully form the strip, the gap 27 is increased tosupply more material and the other blades are adjusted as may be foundnecessary.

The spreader is then drawn along, receiving a constant supply ofmaterial from the supply 73, which is first deposited as shown at 77then spread as shown at 78 by spreader blades 35f36 and finally finishedand gauged by the finishing blade 65 and gathering blades 71 and 72.

Having described an operable method of constructing and using theinvention, -it will be noted that variations in construction andarrangement of parts which are consistent with the appended claims maybe resorted to without detraeting from the spirit or scope of theinvention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

We claim:

1. In combination with a road building machine, a hopper provided with asloping bottom and an opening in the bottom, a gate adapted tocoincidently restrict said opening and control the depth of materialdeposited on a road bed from said hopper, said gate being independentlyadjustable at each end whereby the volume of material deposited may bevaried transversely of a road bed, and the material to be cut through bythe gate is proportionate to the height of the gate above the road baseand the volume required.

2. In combination with a road building machine adapted to deposit,spread, level and finish road building material, depositing meanscomprising a hopper extending transversely of the machine and having Yanopening extending the width of the machine, the bottom plate of saidhopper sloping upwardly from said opening to the back wall thereof, aplate slidably mounted in juxtaposed relation to said bottom plate andindependently adjustable at its opposite ends, whereby the volume of thedeposited material may be gauged to compensate for crown or transverseslope in a road bed, and the slope of the plate restricts the openingcoincidental with the adjustment toward the road base, said machinebeing mounted on skids extending throughout the major portion of thelength, whereby irregularities in the supporting surface are compensatedfor, and uniform distribution and finishing of the material is provided.

3. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a hopper removablysupported between the side members and having a vertical rear wall 'anda downwardly converging bottom and front wall terminating in a dischargeopening, a gate independently adjustable at its opposite ends andoperable parallel to the bottom whereby the Width o the opening isadjusted coincidently with the height of the gate above the road surfaceto prevent the cutting of superiiuous material bythe gate and thusreducing the tractive resistance, and spreading and leveling means andfinishing means for said mai terial, said means being all independentlyadjustable at all points of support.

4. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a hopper removablysupported between theside members Yand having a vertical rearvwall and adownwardly converging bottom and front wall terminating in a dischargeopening, a gate independently adjustable at its opposite ends andoperable parallel `to the bottom whereby the width of the opening isadjusted coincidently with the height of the y gate above the roadsurface to prevent the cutting of superuous material by the gate, andthus reducing the tractive resistance, spreading and leveling means forsaid material comprising a triangular plow having the apex swivelly'secured to the rear wall of the hopper, and vertically adjustable, theheels of the plow being supported by the side members and independentlyadjustable vertically, andextending through openings in the sidemembers, and finishing means for said material having its opposite endsindependently vertically adjustable and supported by the side members.

5. A road building machinecomprisinga pair of spaced apart side membersprovided with tractive coupling means, a receiving hopper adaptedcarried by said tractive device, adjustable means for depositing saidmaterial in gauged quantity, spreading and leveling means for saidmaterial comprising a triangular plow having the apex swivelly securedto the rear wall of the hopper, and vertically adjustable, the4 heels ofthe plow being supported by the side members and independentlyadjustable vertically, and extending through openings in the sidemembers, and finishing means for said material having its opposite endsindependently vertically adjustable and supported by the side members.

6. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a receiving hopperadapted to receive road building material from a supply carried by saidtractive device, adjustable means for depositing said material in gaugedquantity, spreading and leveling means for said material comprising atriangular plow having the apex swivelly secured to the rear wall of thehopper, and vertically adjustable, the heels of the plow being supportedby the side members and independently adjustable vertically, andextending through openings in the side members,

and finishing means for said material having its opposite, endsindependently vertically adjustable and supported by the side members,said finishing means extending beyond the side members, and width anddepth gauging means adjustable vertically and horizontally at each endof the finishing means.

'7. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a hopper removablysupported between the side members and having a vertical rear wall and adownwardly converging bottom and front wall terminating in a dischargeopening, a gate independently adjustable at its opposite ends andoperable parallel to the bottcm whereby the width of the opening isadjusted ccincidently with the-height of the gate above the road surfaceto prevent the cutting of superfluous material by the gate, and thusreducing the tractive resistance, spreading and leveling means for saidmaterial comprising a triangular plow having the apex swivelly securedto the rear wall of the hopper, and vertically adjustable, the heels ofthe plow being supported by the side members and independentlyadjustable vertically, and extending through openings in the sidemembers, and finishing means for said material having its opposite endsindependently vertically adjustable and supported by the side members,said finishing means extending beyond the side members, and width anddepth gauging means adjustable vertically and horizontally at each endof the finishing means.

8. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a receiving hopperadapted to receive road building material from a supply carried by saidtractive device,-adjust able means for depositing said material ingauged quantity, spreading and ,leveling means forsaid materialcomprising a triangular plow having the apex swivelly secured to therear wall of the hopper, and vertically adjustable, the heels of theplow being supported by the side members and independently adjustablevertically, and extending through openings in the side members,

and finishing means for said material having'its opposite endsindependently vertically, adjustable and supported by the side members,,said'iinishing means extending beyond the side members,

and width and depth gauging means adjustable vertically and horizontallyat each end of the finishing means, and material gathering meanscomprising a wing hingedly secured at its forward end in a verticalplane to the outside of each aside member, and vertically and radiallyadjustable, the rearward edge thereof terminating at the heel of theplow when the wing is adjusted to closed position adjacent the sidemember, whereby material in excess of that required for finishing isgathered at the sides of the road.

9. A roadbuilding machine comprising a pair of spaced apart side membersprovided with tractive coupling means, a hopper removably supportedbetween the side members and having a vertical rear wall and adownwardly converging bottom and front wall terminating in a dischargeopening, a gate independently adjustable at its opposite ends andoperable parallel to the bottom whereby the width of the opening isadjusted coincidently with the height of the gate above the roadsurface, spreadingand leveling means for said material comprising atriangular plow having the apex swivelly secured to the rear wall of thehopper, and vertically adjustable, theheels of the plow being supportedby the side members and independently adjustable vertically, andextending through openings in the side members, and finishing means forsaid material having its opposite ends extending beyond,4

and independently vertically adjustable andsupported by the sidemembers, width and depth gauging means adjustable vertically andhorizontally at each end of the nishing means, and material gatheringmeans comprising a wing hingedly secured at its forward end in avertical plane to the outside of each side member, and vertically andradially adjustable, the rearward edge thereof terminating at the heelof the plow when the wing is adjusted to closed position adjacent4 theside member, whereby material in excess of that required for finishingis gathered at the sides of the road.

10. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a hopper removablysupported between the side members and having a vertical rear wall and adownwardly converging.

bottom and front wall terminating in a discharge opening, a gateindependently adjustable at its opposite ends and operable parallel tothe bottom whereby the width of the opening is adjusted coincidentlywith the height of the gate above the road surface to prevent thecutting of super fluous material by the gate, and thus reducing thetractive resistance, and spreading and leveling means and finishingmeans for said material, said means being all independently adjustableat all points of support, said spreading and leveling means and saidfinishing means extendingexteriorly of said side members, said spreadingand leveling means discharging through openings formed in the sidemembers, to permit leveling in juxtaposition to a prelaidstrip-ofmaterial, and,

a continuous support for each side member extending from thevfronjt ofthe machine'substantially to the forward edge of the opening.

11. A road buildingmachine comprising a pair bottom and front wallterminating in adischargev opening, a gate independently adjustable atits opposite ends and operable parallel to the bottom whereby the widthof the opening is adjusted coincidently with the height of the gateabove the road surface to prevent the cutting of superfluous material bythegate, and thus reducing the tractive resistance, spreading andleveling means for said material comprising a triangular plow having theapex swivelly secured to the rear `wall of the hopper, and verticallyadjustable, the

heels of the plow being supported by the side members and independentlyadjustable verticaly ly, and extending through openings in the sidemembers, and finishing means for said material having its opposite endsindependently vertically adjustable and supported by the side members,and a continuous shoe formed at the bottom of each side member andprojecting forwardly of the front edge thereof, and rearwardly to apoint adjacent the opening in the side member adapted to maintainuniformity in leveling and finishing,v

irrespective of minor irregularities in the road base in the line oftravel.

12. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a hopper removablysupported between the side members and having a vertical rear wall and adownwardly converging bottom and front wall terminating in a dischargeopening, a gate independently adjustable at its opposite ends andoperable parallel to the bottom whereby the width of the opening isadjusted coincidently with the height of the gate above the roadsurface, and spreading and leveling means and finishing means for saidmaterial, all independently adjustable at all points of support andextending exteriorly of said side members, said spreading and levelingmeans discharging through openings formed in the side members, to permitleveling'in juxtaposition to a pre-laid strip of material, a continuoussupport for each side member` extending from the front of the machinesubstantially to the forward edge of the opening, and material gatheringmeans comprising the wing hingedly secured at its forward end in avertical plane tothe outside of each side member, and vertically andradially adjustable,

` the rearward edge thereof terminating at the heel of the plow when thewing is adjusted to closed position adjacent the side member, wherebymaterial in excess of that required for finishing is gathered at thesides of the road.

13. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with tractive coupling means, a hopper removablysupported between the side members and having a verti-v cal rear walland a downwardly converging bottom and front wall terminating in adischarge opening, a gate independently adjustable at its opposite endsand operable parallel to the bottom whereby the width of the opening isadjusted coincidently with the height of the gate above the roadsurface, and spreading and leveling means and finishing means for saidmaterial all independently 'adjustable at all points of support, andextending exteriorly of said side members,

, said spreading and leveling means discharging through openings formedin the side members, to permit leveling in juxtaposition to a. pre-laidstrip of material, and material gathering means comprising a winghingedly secured at its forf ward end in a vertical plane to the outsideof each side member, and vertically and radially adjustable, therearward edge thereof terminating at the heel oil-.the plow when thewing is adjusted to closed-position adjacent the side member, wherebymaterial in excess of that required for finishing is gathered at thesides of the road,

and a continuous shoe formed at the bottom of each side member andprojecting forwardly vof the front edge thereof and rearwardly to apoint adjacent the opening in the side member adapted.

to' maintain uniformity in leveling and. finishing irrespective of minorirregularities in the road base in the line of travel.

14. A road building machine comprising a pair of spaced apart sidemembers provided with continuous skids and draft elements adapted to beattached to a tractive device containing a supply of road buildingmaterial to be spread, a hopper removably supported between the sidemembers and adapted to receive material from the tractive device andhaving a restricted opening extending the full distance between the sidemembers, restricting means for said opening independently adjustable atits opposite ends, a triangular spreader suspended at three points andindependently adjustable at each point, the heels of the spreaderextending through openings in the side` adjustable at its opposite endsand supported by 'l the side members, an edge locating blade at each endof the finishing blade and adjustable for Width and depth to clearlydefine the edge of the spread, and gatherers for retracting excessmaterial at the edges of the spread and adjustable for width and heightof spread.

15. In combination with a road building machine adapted to deposit,spread, level and finish road building material, a hopper, and sidemembers, spreading and leveling means for said material comprising atriangular plow having the apex swivelly secured to the rearv wall ofthe hopper, and vertically adjustable, the heels of the plow beingsupported by the side members and independently adjustable vertically,and extending through openings rin the side members, and finishing meansfor said material having its opposite ends independently verticallyadjustable and supported by the side members, said finishing meansextending beyond the side members, and width and depth gauging meansadjustable vertically and horizontally at each end of the finishingmeans.

16. In combination with a road building machine adapted to deposit,spread, level and nish road building material, a hopper and sidemembers, spreading and leveling means for said material comprising atriangular plow having the apex swivelly secured to the rear wall of thehopper, and vertically adjustable, the heels of the plow being supportedby the side members and independently adjustable vertically, andextending through openings in the side members, and finishing means forsaid material having its opposite ends independently verticallyadjustable and supported by the side members, said iinishing meansextending beyond the side members, and width and depth gauging meansadjustable vertically and horizontally at each end of the finishingmeans, and material gathering means comprising a wing hingedly securedat its forward end in a vertical plane to the outside of each sidemember, and vertically and radially adjustable, the rearward edgethereof terminating at the heel of the plow when the wing is adjusted toclosed position adjacent the side member, whereby material in excess ofthat required for nishlili Leraars ing exteriorly of (said side members,said spread' ing and leveling means discharging through openings formedin the side members, to permit leveling in juxtaposition t9 a pre-laidstrip of material, and, a continuous support for each side,

`ceiving hopper having an adjustable discharge member extending from thefront of the machine substantially to the forward edge of the opening.

18. In combination with a road building machine adapted to deposit,spread, level and finish road building'material, and having sidelmembers, adjustable spreading and leveling means, adjustable finishingmeans, said spreading and leveling means and said iinishing meansextending exteriorly of said side members, said spreading and levelingmeans discharging through openings formed in the side members, to permitleveling in juxtaposition to a pre-laid -strip of material, and, acontinuous support for each si .e member extending from the front of themachine substantially to the forward edge of the opening, and acontinuous shoe formed at the bottom l each side member and projectingforwardly of the front edge thereof and rearwardly to a point adjacentthe opening in the side member adapted to maintain uniformity inleveling and finishing irrespective of minor irregularities in the roadbase in the' line of travel. T 19. In combination with a road buildingmachine adapted to deposit, spread, level and finish road buildingmaterial, and having a. hopper and side members, spreading and levelingmeans for said material comprising a triangular plow having the apexswivelly secured to the rear wall of the hopper, and verticallyadjustable, the heels of the plow being supported by the side membersand independently adjustablevertically, and extending through openingsin the side members, and finishing means for said material having itsopposite ends independently vertically adjustable and supported by theside members, and a continuous shoe formed at the bottom of each sidemember and projecting forwardly of the front edge thereof and rearwardlyto a point adjacent the opening in the side member adapted to main-.tain uniformity in leveling and finishing irrespective of minorirregularities in the road base in the .line of travel.

20. A road building machine, in combination, transport means, a roadbuilding material reopening, a vertically adjustable spreading andleveling plow, an adjustable finishing blade, adjustable materialgathering devices, in coopera- `tive relation to the ends of the plow,width gauging means for said material for defining the edges of thespread and adjustably mounted adjacent the ends of the blade, saidmachine being adapted for cooperation with a tractive and transportdevice, and supported on continuous the spread, said gate, spreadingdevice, gathering j devices, finishing blade and width gauging meansbeing independently adjustable at all points of support to'permitvariation in depth of leveled material transversely of a road bed, saidmachine being mounted on skids extending throughout the greater portionof the length, whereby irregularities in the supporting surface arecompensated for, and uniform distribution. provided. j

DAVID A. HEMSTREET. JOSEPH W. BELL.

